Circular girder



F. HORNBY CIRCULAR GIRDER March 1,1927. 7 1,619,298

Filed JulylO. 1924 Koo o INVENTOR Y 7 A5. MTTORNEY T connected to acentral disc or hub.

' Patented Mar. 1,1927.

7 1,5193% NT OFFICE- FRANK HORNBY, or nrvnnroon, nnenannnssreuon T0MnooANo COMPANY,

INC.,

on E IZ BET NEW JERSEY,' A oonron'srrolv or new YonK.

CIRCULAR GIRDER.

Application filed Ju1y'10,;1924, Serial No. 725,103, and Great BritainJuly 25, 1923.

This invention relates to an improved element for use in the building ofconstrue tional toys or models madei from various interchange ableseparate being readily taken apart and the elements repeatedly utilizedfor thebuilding of other devices. I

In toys of this kind it is highly desirable that'each of the elements besusceptible of a variety of uses, in order that the number of differentparts inan outfit may be minimized. It is also desirable that theelements be such as to permit of economical manufacture, as by stampingfrom sheet metal. I

The present invention relates to'such an element. It is adapted for manyuses with kindred elements having corresponding perforations forreceiving the small bolts by which such parts are usually held together,and it may be formed by press tools.

According to this invention, the new element consists in its morecomplete form of a circular girder providedwithradial spIokes n a moresimple form the spokes; and hub are omitted, and the element is acircular ring of angular cross-section. The inventive idea involved iscapable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions. Theaccompanying drawings are for preferred forms, but'it is to beunderstood that they are for that purpose only and are not meant todefine the limits of the invention, reference'being hadto the appendedclaims for this purpose. In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan of the morecomplete form of the element, r -Fig. 2 is a plan of the simpler form ofthe element,

Fig. 3 is a section of the peripheral flange of both elements; and iFig. a is a plan of a structure showing one of the elements in use.

In the more complete form, Fig. 1, the element assumes the shape of awheel having the outer rim 1, the spokes 2, and the hub 3. This hub hasa centrally located perforation 4:, adapted among other things toreceive an axle.-. The spokes, of any desired number, are provided withequidistant perforations 5 preferably round. The rim 1 is also providedwith .equi-distant perforations 6. i a The hole spacing" should, be inkeeping parts-such models of larger the purpose of illustrating with thestandard used inother elements of the constructional outfit, whichspacing is usually one-half inch from center to center. Hence the holes5 in the spokes are equidistantly spaced from each other in accord \rthsaid standard, and. the innermost hole is a like distance from thecenter hole 4, and the outermost hole 5 is a like distance from the hole6 in the rim.

If preferred, the central hole a may be diameter than the holes 5 in thespokes, to receive the hub of a bush-wheel, for example; but it isdesirable that such enlargement should not interfere with the uniformityof the hole spacing when measured from center to center. i

'That the maximum number of uses,;the equi-distant rim perforationsare'so spaced as'to permit thestandard perforations in other elements toregistertherewith. If these rim perforations be but six in number, theyare spaced along achord of a length which is a multiple of the standardunit of measurement.- In the preferred forms shown with eightperforations- Where absolute conformity to the standardization of holespacing (when measured from center tocenter) has given way to theadvantage of having diametri cally opposite spokes and rim perforations,the said perforations are enlarged preferably by elongating in orderthatthey may be adapted to. register with the standard perforations in otherelements of the outfit,'such elongated holes permitting of a slight adustment in either direction of the attached standard parts. I

Depending from the rim 1 is a flange 7, a section of which is shown inFig. 3. This flange is preferably at a right angle to theplane of therim, and has formed therein a plurality of perforations. In the-preferred'form shown, opposite each spoke is a round hole 5?corresponding to theholes 5 in the spokes; and between these holes 5 areelongated holes or slots 8. All perfo rations in the flange may be roundlike those marked 5 but it has been found exceedingly difiicult, not"mpossible, so to dimension one of these elements as to permit ofuniformity ofhole spacing in the flange wholly in accord the standard ofmeasu em n a drte f r 12 PQR nd pr sen in other elements going to makeupa com- P ea utfit ar th lasses- 1 see) new element be put to the areemployed. And even when not positioned in accord with the standard ofmeas urement, these slots in conjunction with the holes 5' will presenta suiiicient number of openings to register with holes spaced ac cordingto the standard as to permit of ready assembly.

In the more simple form, Fig. 2, the rim l with its preferably elongatedperforatione (3. and the peripheral flange 7 with its per- :ti'irations5 and 8 (Fig. are the same as in the more complete l tllflll -llliii thespokes and. hul are omitted in the iuodilication.

In toys of the character in question, circular parts andespeciallywheels have a prominent place. The element herein disclosedcan be put to a multiplicity of uses, but is especially of value inbuilding constructions such a Ferriswhecl, as other elements may besecured to the rim and across the face of the part or directly to theperipheral flange, the new element being the foundation.

Asillustratire of a common use for the new element, inFig. t is shown awheel structure inning as a foundation the simple form of circulargirder shown in Fig. 2. A buslrwheel 9 is employed as a hub. Radiatingtherefrom are the short perforated strips 10 forming spokes, the innerend of each being secured to the hub by a bolt 11. The rim 1 is thenadded; and, when spokes of the proper length have been selected, it willbe found that the outermost perforation in each spoke registers with arim perforation 6, to receive a bolt 11 to hold the parts in position.Radiating from the circumference of the rim 1 are the double angleperforated strips 12, the inner ends of which are secured to the rim bybolts passing through the flange perforations 5 The strips 12 may be inthe plane of the spokes 10, or at an angle thereto as shown by thestrips designated 12. If desired, the strips 12 may be staggered withrespect to spokes 10 by securing them to the rim at any point in theelongated slots 8, instead. ofthc perforations 5. At the outer end, ofthe strips 12 are secured a plurality of channel sections 13, to form acomplete wheel oi substantial size. 4

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed: y

1. A circular element fora toy construc tion outfit comprising a dischaving radially disposed rows of perforations equally spaced from centerto center according to a predetermined standard obtaining in otherelements of said outfit, all of said. rows having a. common centerperforation, the outer perforations of adjacent rows being also equallyspaced one from another and adapted to register with standardperforations insaid other elements, and a flange at an angle to theplane oi. said disc having perforations differently spaced but adaptedlikewise to register with standard perforations.

2. A circular element comprising a disc having it central perforation,concentric circles of perforations radially spaced according to apredetermined standard, and a peripheral flange at an angle to the planeof the dischaving perforations not so s; aced but adapted to registerwith standard perlora'tions in other elements of a toy constructionoutfit.

3. A circular clen'icnt con'iprising a disc having a perforation in thecenter thereof with concentric circles of perforations equally spacedradially from each other and from said center perforation according to apredetermined standard, and a flange at a right angle to the plane ofthe disc havingperforations to register with standard perforations inother elements of a toy construction outfit.

4. A circular element comprising a disc having -a central perforation,concentric circles of perforations radially spaced ac cording to apredetermined standard, adjacent perforations in the outer circle beingspaced. along a chord of a length corresponding to said standard, and aflange at an angle to the plane of the disc having perforations adaptedto register with standard perforations in other elements of a toy construction outfit.

5. A circular element comprising a disc having cut-out portions so as toleave material in the form of a wheel, a centrally located perforationadapted to take an axle, a row of perforations extending along eachspoke and terminating in the periphery or rim, all of said perforationsfrom center to center being equally spaced radially according to apredetermined standard, and. a flange at a right angle to the plane ofsaid disc having perforations to register with standard perforations inother elements of a toy construction outfit.

6. A circular element comprising a disc having cut-out portions so as toleave material ;in the form of a wheel, a centrally located perforationadapted to take an axle, a row of perforations extending along eachspoke and terminating in the periphery or run, all of said perforationsfrom center to center being equally spaced radiall according to apredetermined standarc, the adjacent peripheral perforations beingspaced along a chord of a length correspond ing to said standard, and aflange at a right angle to the plane of said disc having perforations toregister with standard perforations in other elements of a toyconstruction outfit.

7. A circular girder element of angular cross-section having in its fiatside a series of perforations equally spaced along a chord of a lengthcorresponding to a predetermined standard, and in its circumference aseries of perforations differently spaced but of equally spacedperforations, both the diametrically opposite and adjacent perforationsbeing adapted to register with standard perforations in other elementsof a toy construction outfit, and having in its circum-' ference aseries of perforations of a different spacing but also adapted likewiseto register with said other elements.

9. A circular girder element comprising a rim having thereinperforations equally spaced from center to center, said perforationsbeing so formed that any two either adjacent or diametrically oppositewill present openings to register with standard perforations in otherelements of a toy construction outfit, and a peripheral flange at anangle to the plane of said rim having perforations therein of adifferent spacing but also adapted to register with standardperforations in said other elements.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

FRANK HORNBY. o

